back from the brink of another looming crisis, this time on the debt ceiling. republicans in the house changed course. and they voted for a plan that will allow the country to pay its bills, all the way through the middle of may. but they added a twist. members of congress have to pass a budget or their paychecks will be withheld. democrats are expected to go along. and today, the market soared. the dow ending at another five-year high, now back where it was before the recession started in december 2007. >>> and next, the latest today on that powerful blast of polar air sitting on top of a third of the country, creating an icebox. and here's the map tonight. bone-chilling weather from the dakotas to maine. and all day, we saw post cards from the frozen continent. a fountain of icicles here in new york. and a fireman's gloves were standing up, they were petrified in the cold. tonight, abc's gio benitez on the bitter cold. gio? >> reporter: good evening, diane. here in fulton, new york, more than three feet of snow fell just within the past 48 hours. but it was n